Carlsbad teen singer Lovaas is on the rise

Surf pop artist, 15, has some big music names in his corner

Cody Lovaas, 15-year-old Carlsbad singer/songwriter and teen idol. Cody was recently named an international SurfAid ambassador (a global humanitarian group founded and endowed by surfers). Cody performing a sold-out concert at Jitters in Oceanside.

Cody Lovaas, 15-year-old Carlsbad singer/songwriter and teen idol. Cody was recently named an international SurfAid ambassador (a global humanitarian group founded and endowed by surfers). Cody performing a sold-out concert at Jitters in Oceanside.

CARLSBAD, Calif.  Cody Lovaas is too young to drive, a few years away from shaving and still singing in the boy tenor range, but the 15-year-old songwriter is poised for what could be a grown-up musical career.

The Carlsbad surf-pop singer/guitarist has a manager, a couple dozen songs and music videos, a large female fan base, a website and a busy concert schedule, as well as some big-name supporters in the music world. In fact, if you’ve seen the new Hunter Hayes video “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me,” Lovaas can be spotted in a brief cameo clambering over the lap of one of his biggest fans, Oceanside-based Grammy-winner Jason Mraz.

The two met a year ago playing on the same bill at Oceanside’s Hill Street Cafe, and Mraz recommended Lovaas to his manager, Bill Silva, who signed the nascent talent to his roster last spring. Lovaas’ manager, Vince Schultz, calls him a “developing artist” who will be brought together this year with songwriters Jack Tempchin and Charlton Pettus to explore some musical collaborations. If all goes well, an EP release is possible, perhaps later this year.

“We at Bill Silva Management are honored to work with such an authentic artist,” said Schultz, adding that Lovaas is the agency’s youngest client. “At 15 he has a heart of gold, always giving back. He is growing into a shining star.”

Cody Lovaas, 15-year-old Carlsbad singer/songwriter and teen idol. Cody was recently named an international SurfAid ambassador (a global humanitarian group founded and endowed by surfers). Cody performing a sold-out concert at Jitters in Oceanside.

Cody Lovaas, 15-year-old Carlsbad singer/songwriter and teen idol. Cody was recently named an international SurfAid ambassador (a global humanitarian group founded and endowed by surfers). Cody performing a sold-out concert at Jitters in Oceanside.

Born in Dallas and raised in Carlsbad, where he surfs every day, the blond-haired, blue-eyed Lovaas said he got interested in music at the age of 7.

“I was in the car with my mom and I asked her if I could play the drums. She said ‘you can’t bring your drums to the beach but you could bring a guitar,’ so I decided I’d get a guitar,” Lovaas said. “I remember I learned four chords and as soon as I knew them, I decided to write my first song.”

With the support of his parents, Brad Schlachter and Norwegian-born L. Lovaas Schlachter, and his sisters Nikelle, 17, and Keelee, 13, he began studying music. At first it was for fun. Eventually it became a serious vocation.

Now home-schooled, Lovaas said he devotes three to five hours a day singing, practicing on the guitar and ukulele and writing songs (his favorite lyrical subjects are surfing, girls, music and the environment). On the weekends, he’ll play as many as four shows, often in a trio with percussionist Angela Cutrone and guitarist Pedro Talarico. Because he’s a budding environmentalist, Lovaas often does fundraising concerts for his favorite charities Hurley H20, Surf-Aid and Feeding the Soul Foundation. His next gig will be at the 2014 NAMM Winter Show in Anaheim on Saturday.

Aaron Bowen, a veteran guitarist, composer and producer in La Mesa, has been working closely with Lovaas over the past eight months to channel and develop his talent. He believes the young musician could have a bright future.

“It’s absolutely incredible how much he absorbs. When I teach him, he just sucks it up and works really hard,” said Bowen, 40. “If he can continue on this path, he will be frighteningly good. He’s already far surpassed some of the people on his management label who are bigger artists. From a straight talent standpoint, he has it.”